Department of State: The US continues to be deeply concerned by the escalating violence and the worsening humanitarian situation in Eastern Ukraine, including attacks on civilian infrastructure used for drinking water and heating supplies. The decision to end the violence lies squarely with Russia.

US Department of State: Our sincere condolences to the people of Romania on the death of His Majesty King Michael I. His critical role in WWII, which earned him the U.S. Legion of Merit, and his dedication to the Romanian people will always be remembered.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier signed a multi-million dollar partnership with Ghana on his first trip to Africa since taking office. Germany hopes the accord might help curb migration to Europe

On November 30, a Moscow court arrested Russian citizen Alexey Zhitnyuk on treason charges, though the ruling was only reported on December 11. Zhitnyuk is suspected of passing top secret naval intelligence to the CIA

May: (asked about EU workers in NHS) we recognise the contribution that EU workers make across our economy, we want people to be able to stay and families to stay together…the UK-EU joint progress report shows that people will be able to continue living as before Brexit

Theresa May speaking in the Commons: we will put the final withdrawal agreement to a vote in both Houses of Parliament before it comes into force, we expect Parliament to vote before March 2019…We will then bring forward a withdrawal agreement and implementation bill

Michel Barnier: this is the first time in European trade negotiations in which we have to negotiate divergence rather than encouraging convergence, we will have to deal with regulatory divergence and stop it becoming a tool for dumping

EU Chief Brexit Negotiator, Michel Barnier, speaking in the European Parliament: the only legal basis for a possible transition is Article 50, there's no transition on if there's no agreement on Article 50 – the withdrawal agreement

In 2018, Belgian military personnel will be deployed on board of @NATO AWACS aircraft (Airborne Warning and Control System), making the skies safer @E3AComponent. Operation #OPSeaGuardian in the Mediterranean and Support to the Counter ISIL @coalition

Polish National Broadcasting Council has just imposed the biggest fine in its history. It claims that by reporting on anti-government protests of December 2016, a private television station TVN24 has been “propagating unlawful actions”. The appeal, if made by the broadcaster, will end up in The Supreme Court - currently being taken over by the government

Afghan President Ghani congratulates Mr. Stoltenberg @jensstoltenberg with the two years extension of his term as NATO Secretary General. The Afghan President acknowledges the important role he has played during these challenging times strengthening a united front against the threats we all face

Russian Mindef:Unit of International Mine Action Centre of the Russian Armed Forces returns to permanent location from Syria. Specialists of the International Mine Action Centre conducted humanitarian operation in Deir ez-Zor

OSCE: At a checkpoint near Verkhnoshyrokivske, an armed person denied the SMM's passage through the checkpoint after it stated its intention to visit Novoazovsk. The person claimed that the SMM was not allowed to pass due to a "reconnaissance group operation."

"It is increasingly a place and for the younger generation it really is a place where they live a significant portion of their lives" Britain's Sedwill says of cyber space "But it is also a battle space"

NATO supports peace. "A stable Afghanistan is the most effective means of guaranteeing long-term security in the region. Afghanistan is a young country with lots of opportunities for all of its neighbours", said NATO Senior Civilian Representative Ambassador Zimmermann in Oslo

Amnesty International says European governments are complicit in grave human rights violations in Libya through their support for authorities there who often work with people smugglers and torture refugees and migrants

The first phase of Brexit negotiations was meant to build trust. By downgrading this agreement to a statement of intent, the UK Government is putting our trust at risk. The EU 27 and UK must make it clear on Thursday that the agreement is binding for both sides says @ManfredWeber

Security Message from US Embassy in Serbia notes tomorrow's Red Star vs Partizan soccer match in Belgrade is a high-risk event because of animosity between the teams' fans, and frequent clashes in and around the stadium

Israeli ambassador to Germany @JIssacharoff discusses the anti-Israel protests in Berlin: "I think that the burning of the flag is like burning one's own integrity and should be condemned in a very profound way," he says

Brexit Secretary David Davis says he has agreed with European Parliament Brexit co-ordinator Guy Verhofstadt to work together to convert the joint report on the Brexit deal into legal text as soon as possible

Alexei Navalny has called for people to demonstrate in Moscow on December 24, demanding that he be allowed into the presidential election and allowed airtime on TV. It is the anniversary of a mass protest in 2011 against the fraudulent Duma election.

[email protected]: Despite thousands of hours wasted and many millions of dollars spent, the Democrats have been unable to show any collusion with Russia - so now they are moving on to the false accusations and fabricated stories of women who I don't know and/or have never met. FAKE NEWS!

Macron told that Trump's decision to withdraw from Paris accord was a "deep wake-up call for the private sector" to take action. "If we decide to not change our way to produce, to invest, to behave, we will be responsible for billions of victims"

Over 50 world leaders are gathering in Paris for a summit that President Emmanuel Macron hopes will give new momentum to the fight against global warming, despite US President Donald Trump's rejection of the Paris climate accord

Village of Baumgarten with its 192 residents has been evacuated after the OMV-Gasstation in Baumgarten in Gemeinde Weiden a.d. March suffered an explosion and resulting fire, one dead and 18 injured confirmed so far, search for possible missing ongoing

At least 1 person dead, 20 injured after an explosion, fire at Baumgarten gas hub in Marchfeld, Austria. The countries largest reception point and the main distribution statation for natural gas imports. Massive search and rescue operation underway.

At least 1 person dead, 20 injured after an explosion, fire at Baumgarten gas hub in Matched, Austria. The countries largest reception point and the main distribution statation for natural gas imports. Massive search and rescue operation underway

Following adverse weather conditions across UK and parts of northern Europe on Sunday and Monday, we are returning to near normal schedules. Today we aiming to run our normal ops at London Gatwick and London City and the vast majority of flights from London Heathrow: British Airways